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Home , 42nd Canadian Parliament, Ed Broadbent, Sid Ryan, Tom Mulcair

P.11 #EDUCATION P.8 NDP LEADS LABOUR WORKERSMATTER P.3 SID RYAN PLANS DEPARTURE DAY PARADE IN PRESIDENT’S REPORT FEDER TION OF LABOUR FALL 2015 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4

OFL CONVENTIONNOV. 23-27P.12 PRESIDENT’S REPORT VOL. 5 NO. 4 ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR FALL 2015 President

Patrick “Sid” Ryan

P.8 NDP HEADLINES LABOUR DAY IN TORONTO JOEL DUFF PHOTO: OFL NEWS

Secretary-Treasurer Open Letter: Sid Ryan Announces His Departure ...... 3 Nancy Hutchison Labour & Human Rights Dates ...... 14 Upcoming Events ...... 15 OFL & AIL Award Labour Post-Secondary Scholarships for 2015 ...... 15 ODRT Worker’s Compensation Training Series 2015 (October 25-30) ...... 16 SPECIAL FEATURE: FEDERAL ELECTION 2015 ON THE COVER: OFL Endorses ’s NDP ...... 4

Executive Harper’s Economic Record is the Worst in Canada’s Post-War History ...... 6

Vice-President Three Ridings Riding on the Orange Wave ...... 7 MEET THE OFL OFFICERS CENTRE SPREAD: Labour Shows Its Solidarity at Labour Day and Toronto Pride Parades ...... 8 Irwin Nanda OFL Labour Day Op-Ed: Harper Leaves Future Generations Behind ...... 10 OFL CONVENTION 2015 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Demanding the Ontario We Want: OFL Convention to Chart a New Course (Nov. 23-27) ...... 12 ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR Workers of Colour Symposium Takes Collective Approach to Racism (Nov. 21) ...... 13 The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 Young Workers’ Assembly Puts Focus on Organizing Precarious Workers (Nov. 21-22) ...... 13 unions and one million workers. It is Canada’s largest provincial labour federation. ONTARIO POLITICS Volume 5, Issue 4 of the OFL President’s Report Ontario Elementary Teachers and Support Staff was produced for the September 29, 2015 Begin “Work-to-Rule” ...... 11 meeting of the Executive Board of the Ontario Campaign to “Keep Hydro Public” Vows to Federation of Labour. Stop Sale of Hydro One ...... 11 Editor-in-Chief/Writing/Design/Layout: Joel Duff EQUALITY & HUMAN RIGHTS Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Labour Responds to the Syrian Refugee Crisis ...... 14 Fédération du travail de l’Ontario (FTO) 15 Gervais Drive, Suite 202 Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Y8 416-441-2731 • 1-800-668-9138 TDD: 416-443-6305 • FAX: 416-441-1893 OFL Labour Day messages featured in [email protected] special supplement to the P.10 and in five Sun Media newspapers.

This document was proudly produced with unionized labour: JD/ph:cope343

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFL E-NEWSLETTER BY TEXTING THE WORD “OFL” TO 647-496-5602 OPEN LETTER TO UNION MEMBERS

SID RYAN ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION

September 28, 2015

Sisters and Brothers,

I am writing to you – the activists and the grassroots of the labour movement – to announce that I will not be seeking re-election as President of the Ontario Federation of Labour. What I do next, what issues I champion, what challenges I tackle, has yet to be determined, but I will not be leading Ontario’s House of Labour. I am addressing you openly because you are the heart and soul of the labour movement. It is your interests I have championed throughout my career as a union leader and I want you to hear from me personally. If there is one thing that both my strongest supporters and my harshest critics agree on, it is that in mobilizing workers I have often spoken over the heads of labour leaders to reach union members directly. It is a critique that I wear with pride. I have had the privilege of serving Ontario workers for nearly a quarter century – 17 years at the helm of CUPE Ontario and the past six years as President of the OFL. At no point in my career have I made life easy or comfortable for the powerful. I have refused to compromise progressive principles for politically expediency. I have preferred to wage the working class fight – both inside and outside our movement – on the ground with the members. Our movement is always strongest when it is bold, transparent and principled. These convictions have guided me in taking some controversial stances during my career. When I lead CUPE Ontario into un- equivocal solidarity with the right to a free Palestine, when I called for negligent employers to go to jail over workplace fatalities and when I denounced police violence and racism, I put my reputation behind my convictions. When the circumstances required it, I put partisanship aside to defeat Conservative Leader Tim Hudak, just as today I am calling on every worker, in every riding, to make Thomas Mulcair the next . I have always believed that good leaders are not afraid to lead and no activist worth their salt can create meaningful change without ruffling a few feathers. It is no mystery that, along the way, I have accumulated some critics (you may have heard from a few in the pages of the Toron- to Star), but union members are unmistakably united. I have been elected unanimously three times as OFL President and union members have repeatedly given me a mandate to put equity, community and action at the heart of everything we do. Together, we put 10,000 people on the streets of Hamilton in support of steelworkers, 15,000 in London in support of autoworkers, 30,000 in Toronto in support of school teachers and support staff and we rallied for workplace rights in every region of Ontario. We have built an unprecedented labour-community alliance of over 90 groups that began the pushback against Rob Ford’s privatization agenda, challenged McGuinty’s austerity cuts, and catapulted inequality into the media. The enthusiastic response that I have received from union members, precarious workers and equity seekers across the province has been a powerful validation of the unity and solidarity at the core of our movement. It gives me hope that the labour movement is as vibrant and relevant as ever and, with the rise of precarious work, migrant labour and governments who put corporate interests ahead of the public interest, the need has never been greater. However, any movement is bigger than any one person. Some of the labour leaders who have opposed me have said that they share my values but they can’t unite behind my leadership. Today, I am issuing a challenge to these labour leaders to live up to their words: build an open and progressive labour movement that puts equity and social justice at its core, even when doing the right thing is unpopular. And to the union membership, I give the biggest responsibility: hold your elected leadership to the task, demand openness and transparency, call for equity and inclusion and, above all, give them the confidence to take strident stances. After all, none of us can accomplish a better future unless all of us believes that a better future is possible. In solidarity, Sign up for the OFL’s new e-blast updates by texting the word “OFL” to 647-496-5602 Follow & Retweet the OFL on Twitter at: Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour @OFLabour and @SidRyan_OFL

OFL PRESIDENT’S REPORT 3 SPECIAL FEATURE: FEDERAL ELECTION 2015

OFL Endorses Tom Mulcair’s NDP

Canadians are in the midst of the longest ada’s international reputation is incalculable but prosperity, it is the one that Thomas Mulcair has federal election campaign in many decades, but the defining issue of Harper’s last term was the presented to .” Labour Day marked the mid-way point on the introduction of the dangerous and undemocratic Among the many popular commitments the road to the October 19 election and it was also Bill C51. NDP have promised are: the moment that each party kicked their cam- • Creating full-time, middle-class jobs; paign into high gear. To mark the occasion, OFL • Creating one million childcare spaces led the weekend with a bold media announce- There is one leader and capped at $15 a day; ment that it would be throwing its full and un- one party that can clean up equivocal support behind Thomas Mulcair’s bid nine years of Conservative • Expanding the so no one retires into poverty; to become the first NDP Prime Minister in Can- corruption and economic ada’s history. • Expanding Canada’s medicare system to OFL President Sid Ryan called on Ontario’s mismanagement and that cover prescription drugs; 54 labour unions and over one million unionized is Thomas Mulcair and the • Reversing health transfer cuts; workers to volunteer their time for NDP candi- federal NDP. • Cutting emissions and tackling climate dates in every riding across Ontario. change; “Now is not the time to divide the strength of - OFL President Sid Ryan • Repealing Bill C51; and the labour movement by sending out confusing • Launching a national inquiry into missing messages about who should be the next Prime “When was called upon to take a stand against Harper’s attack on the and murdered Indigenous women. Minister of Canada,” said Ryan. “There is only fundamental rights of Canadians, his principles “The OFL helped to drive Ontario Conservative one leader and one party that can clean up nine failed him and his party cast their votes with the Leader Tim Hudak out of politics in 2014 and we years of Conservative corruption and econom- Harper Conservatives. Trudeau proved that he are convinced that a labour movement united be- ic mismanagement and that is Thomas Mulcair doesn’t have what it takes to lead Canada,” said hind Thomas Mulcair can deliver the same fate to and the federal NDP.” Ryan, “Only Thomas Mulcair had the courage ,” said Ryan. “There is no doubt that While Harper has been in office, income in- and the conviction to oppose Bill C51 and de- voters in ‘Battleground Ontario’ will make or break equality has deepened, wages have stagnated fend the rights and values of Canadians. If ever the Harper government, but I predict that it will be and new job creation is slower than any period there was a party platform that clearly speaks to union activists who tip the scales and help Thom- since World War II. The damage Harper has done the interests of working people and their fam- as Mulcair make history by forming Canada’s first to Canadian families, the environment and Can- ilies and provides a balanced plan for shared NDP government.”

4 FALL 2015 • VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 OFL President Sid Ryan uses the Toronto Labour Day Parade to publicly demonstrate OFL support for Tom Mulcair and Canada’s NDP. INSET: OFL launches social media support for Canada’s NDP. See the next page for more about the boots-on-the-ground campaign to support strong NDP challengers in key Tory ridings across Ontario. PHOTO AND GRAPHICS: JOEL DUFF AND GRAPHICS: PHOTO

OFL PRESIDENT’S REPORT 5 SPECIAL FEATURE: FEDERAL ELECTION 2015 HARPER’S ECONOMIC RECORD IS THE WORST IN CANADA’S POST-WAR HISTORY

With Canada slipping into another recession, CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT RATE (% POINTS) Unifor released comprehensive new review of the economic record of Stephen Harper’s Con- 5.0 servative government that paints a damning 4.0 portrait of nearly a decade of economic failure. “Rhetoric and Reality: Evaluating Canada’s 3.0 Economic Record Under the Harper Govern- ment,” authored by Unifor Economists Jim 2.0 Stanford and Jordan Brennan, tracks the per- 1.0 formance of nine federal governments from 1946 through 2014. “Canada’s economy has never performed worse, since the end of World War II, than un- -1.0 der the present Conservative government. The -2.0 Harper government ranks last among the nine King Diefenbaker Trudeau Chrétien Harper post-war governments, and by a wide margin St. Laurent Pearson Mulroney Martin – falling well behind the second worst govern- Even internationally, Canada ranks much ment, which was the Mulroney government of more poorly than previously claimed. Canada’s 1984-93.” economy falls in the lower half of all OECD coun- The report also shows that the poor eco- tries under the Harper government, according to nomic results of the Stephen Harper Conser- population-adjusted indicators of job-creation vative government cannot be blamed on the and GDP growth. 2008-09 recession – Canada experienced a “Given the negative growth data recorded so total of 10 recessions since 1946, with some far for 2015, Canada’s standing among industri- Prime Ministers contending with more than al countries will slip further this year. one during their tenures. The recovery from the “Prime Minister Harper’s claim that Cana- 2008-09 downturn has been the weakest of da’s economy is ‘the envy of the entire world’ any recovery since 1946. is sharply at odds with the international data.” Stanford and Brennan compare annual data To read the report: http://www.unifor.org/sites/ from Statistics Canada and other publicly avail- default/files/documents/document/909- able sources regarding 16 key conventionally harper_economic_critique_eng_0.pdf used indicators of economic progress and well-being. These indicators include: • Work: Job-creation, employment rate, un- employment rate, labour force participation, Canada’s economy has youth employment, and job quality; never performed • Production: Real GDP growth (absolute worse ... than and per capita), business investment, under the present exports, and productivity growth; and Conservative • Distribution and Debt: Real personal incomes, inequality, federal public services, government. personal debt, and government debt. - Unifor Report For 13 of the 16 indicators, the Stephen Harper Conservative government ranks last or second last among all postwar Prime Ministers. And its average ranking across all 16 indica- tors is by far the worst.

6 FALL 2015 • VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 Long a bastion for progressive politics, the newly aligned riding of Oshawa, is back to the boundaries that sent to as their Member of Parliament from 1968-1990. The federal riding of Oshawa has been “Tory Blue” since 2004, but constituents will not be “conned” into re-electing incumbent on October 19. Mary Fowler – an ETFO union member, labour council activist, and educator – is poised to return Oshawa to the NDP and she has a team of dedicated labour activists at her side to make it happen. Following the trail blazed by MPP Jennifer French in the 2014 pro- vincial election, Mary Fowler has what it takes to replicate Jennifer’s success. If anyone can paint Oshawa orange yet again, it is Mary. The OFL is mobilizing the vote in vulnerable ridings in “Battleground Ontario” where Tories are facing a strong challenge from the NDP. Here are three ridings that could help make Oshawa Candidate Mary Fowler joined by NDP Stalwart Tom Mulcair Canada’s Ed Broadbent and NDP MPP Jennifer French. next Prime Minister. ORANGE THREE RIDINGS RIDING ON THE WAVE NIAGARA FALLS The passion, energy and optimism of this diverse suburban com- City Councillor and former longtime Liberal supporter Carolynn munity is aligning behind NDP candidate Harbaljit Singh Khalon and Ioannoni shook up her riding this summer when she was nominated as his biggest champion, suave NDP MPP . Jagmeet ran the NDP candidate for Niagara Falls. Carolynn said her frustrations be- in the 2011 federal election as the NDP candidate in the riding of Bra- gan with the Wynne government over recent scandals and health-care malea—Gore—Malton and lost to Conservative candidate Bal Gosal cuts, but were crystallized when Justin Trudeau supported Stephen by only 539 votes. But that campaign gave him the momentum he Harper’s controversial anti-terrorism bill, which she said “stomps on so needed to take the riding in the next provinial election. Jagmeet and many privacy and human rights issues.” his team of young activists are firmly behind Harbaljit and are poised Like Oshawa, this riding has tradi-tradi- to make inroads in the newly aligned federal riding of Brampton East. tionally leaned Coservative but was Harbaljit Singh Khalon is our pick to stop Stephen Harper. This will snatched away by the Ontario NDP surely be a close race, but Brampton East is ready for change. last year by a strong candidate with All indicators suggest that the NDP are ready to add Brampton East background of labour activism. to the NDP column on October 19. Carolynn has the chops to build on the success of NDP MPP Wayne Gates to snatch this key seat from the Harper Conservatives. “Everywhere I go, I’m hearing, ‘It’s time for change, time for change, time for change,’” said Carolynn. Indeed it is!

NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh and federal leader Tom Mulcair Carolynn Ioannoni is put their support behind Brampton’s Harbaljit Singh Khalon. one to watch!

OFL PRESIDENT’S REPORT 7 with their campaign to “Save Door-to-Door.”

Thomas Mulcair and Canada’s NDP were joined by Irwin Nanda, Sid Ryan, Hassan Yussuff and other prominent labour leaders at the head of the 2015 Toronto Labour Day Parade. Leading the union contingent was CUPW,

8 FALL 2015 • VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 LGBTQ Pride events, parades and barbecues took place across Ontario this summer, with strong union showing at every event. In Toronto, OFL Officers Nancy Hutchison and Irwin Nanda joined CLC officers Hassan Yussuff and Marie Clarke Walker, as well as Executive Board Members Fred Hahn and John Cartwright to show labour pride. LABOUR DAY PHOTOS: JOEL DUFF; PRIDE PHOTOS: CRAIG SAUNDERS JOEL DUFF; PRIDE PHOTOS: PHOTOS: LABOUR DAY OFL PRESIDENT’S REPORT 9 SPECIAL FEATURE: FEDERAL ELECTION 2015

OFL’S LABOUR DAY OP-ED

OPINION COLUMNISTS Monday, September 7, 2015 Harper leaves future generations behind SID RYAN Every generation of parents, from Can- Unions can no longer respond through When Albertans went to the polls last ada’s First Peoples through each wave of self-preservation at the expense of other spring in Canada’s Conservative heartland, immigration since, have trusted that hard workers. A truly universal labour move- the result was the punishing defeat of a work would deliver a brighter future and ment requires a bottom-up approach to 40-year-old Conservative Dynasty and an improved fortunes for their children and worker action that is driven by a movement unprecedented mandate for the Alberta their grandchildren. of all working people, the unemployed, the . However, despite record levels of educa- precariously employed, the retired and the Alberta NDP Leader cam- tion, today’s youth will become first gener- many diverse communities who are being paigned on a bold commitment to corpo- ation in history to expect a lower standard marginalized within today’s economy. rate tax fairness, the environment and a of living than their parents. $15 minimum wage – the same hallmarks For most of the last century, high school of Thomas Mulcair’s platform for Canada’s students could expect to graduate into well- Those who are fed up NDP. paid jobs in manufacturing or other sectors with corruption in Ottawa, What was mistaken at first as simply an that allowed them to buy a home, support a Alberta election upset, is looking more and family and join the middle class. blanket support for more like a federal forecast. Those who are Their counterparts today are graduating corporate Canada and an fed up with corruption in Ottawa, blanket from college or university with unprece- support for corporate Canada and an inex- dented levels of student debt only to wind inexcusable indifference to cusable indifference to inequality are see- up wallowing in low-paying service jobs inequality are seeing the ing the NDP as the better choice. that offer no security, limited benefits and Around barbecues and campfires across little room for advancement. NDP as the better choice. the country, Canadians may be inclined to Over nearly a decade in office, the Harp- spend this Labour Day weekend lamenting the end of summer but there is also cause er Conservatives have engineered a dra- The Ontario Federation of Labour, matic reversal of fortune across Canada to look optimistically towards the future. which has historically only given voice to The federal election on October 19 will pro- that is driving down wages and threatening unionized workers, is now partnering with to leave future generations behind. vide and opportunity for voters to chart a diverse and vulnerable communities to new course for Canada. In the weeks and For the first time since the 1950s, em- mount a vigorous defence for the rights and months that follow, we must work together ployment rates have dropped and new job interests of every worker. to make the Canadian economy work for creation has hit the skids. For Canada’s voters, the façade of the everyone. Even in Canada’s economic epicenter, Conservative economic restructuring has barely 50 percent of workers can take com- crumbled away. A falling Canadian dollar, fort in full-time, permanent jobs. plummeting oil prices and the recent back- For the country’s labour unions, this slide into a second recession give the lie to alarming workforce transformation is trig- the Conservative claim to be sound fiscal gering a profound re-imagining of the la- managers. bour movement. We are confronting the However, for many Canadians, it is the Sid Ryan is harsh reality that declining union density deepening income inequality, wage stag- president of the and an increasingly precarious workforce nation and cuts to social programs that are Ontario Federation are dragging down wages and benefits fast- causing voters to look for a more balanced of Labour er than union standards can pull them up. road to shared prosperity.

10 FALL 2015 • VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 ONTARIO POLITICS ONTARIO ELEMENTARY TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF BEGIN “WORK-TO-RULE” On September 10, 55,000 Canadian Union ETFO rejected what it called the Liberal gov- tion if there is no change on the part of the of Public Employees (CUPE) school board ernment’s ‘cookie-cutter’ approach to reaching a government and school board. members in Ontario began the largest legal deal, saying that the government and the Ontario “ Wynne might want a quick deal job action in that union’s history. They included Public School Boards’ Association could not im- education workers in schools and board offic- pose a flawed deal that is designed for other ed- to help Mr. Trudeau’s chances in the federal es, in both the French and English systems, for ucation systems and does not address the needs election,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond, public and Catholic Boards. of public elementary students and teachers. “but we actually want a deal that works for CUPE’s striking members are some of the Both unions intend to escalate their strike ac- teachers and students.” lowest-paid workers in the public education system. The majority are women and they face layoffs each summer. “They’ve faced years of cuts to the critical services they provide, seen inflation eat away their take-home pay because of wage freezes, and faced a government who seemed, at best, to treat their critical work as an afterthought,” said CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn. The school board workers began their cam- paign just as the 76,000 members of the Ele- mentary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) stepped up their job action on the first day back CUPE Ontario officers and staff show solidarity for striking education workers. to school. Show your support by posting messages using the hashtag #EducationWorkersMatter. CAMPAIGN TO “KEEP HYDRO PUBLIC” VOWS TO STOP SALE OF HYDRO ONE A broad coalition of labour and community municipalities have passed resolutions opposing prospectus is out, we will be reviewing all av- groups have vowed to continue efforts to stop the sale and, according to a recent Environics enues to stop or delay the sale, including legal the sale of Hydro One and hold all parties in- poll, public opposition has jumped 20 points. action.” volved accountable, as the government starts “We are going to step up our efforts to stop There is no question that the Wynne gov- the process to sell the first fifteen percent of this sale because everywhere we go, more the public utility. ernment is risking the federal Liberal party’s people join us in calling on the government to election chances, and in three years its own “This is further evidence that Premier Wyn- keep hydro public,” said Miller. “Now the initial re-election, by proceeding with this sale. ne and the Liberal government have no interest in what anybody else thinks of this plan,” said Katrina Miller, spokesperson for the Keep Hy- dro Public Campaign. “Despite 83 percent of Ontarians being opposed to selling Hydro One, and municipalities, businesses, and First Nation Groups calling on the government to consult broadly before moving forward, the govern- ment is barrelling ahead with a short-sighted cash grab that could have disastrous results.” The Keep Hydro Public Campaign, involving more than 20 labour, community, environmen- tal and student organizations, has been build- ing opposition to the government’s plan across Keep Hydro Public involves more than 20 labour, community, environmental and student the province for the last four months. 140 groups and has been gaining momentum across Ontario for the last four months.

OFL PRESIDENT’S REPORT 11 OFL CONVENTION 2015

DEMANDING THE ONTARIO WE WANT OFL’S 13TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION WILL CHART A NEW COURSE FOR LABOUR The OFL will be holding its 13th Biennial Con- cynical public opinion that has often been divided This Convention will be an important oppor- vention from November 23-27, 2015, under the by the politics of envy. Set against a disappear- tunity for the membership to underscore the aspirational banner “The Ontario We Want,” but ing manufacturing sector, this anti-union rhetoric inclusive objective at the heart of the bold new the meeting will also mark a new beginning for has only grown as density has declined and good, approach to grassroots activism that has become the labour movement. middle-class jobs have been replaced by precar- the OFL’s ethos in recent years. All three OFL officers have made public their ious jobs with few benefits. For organized labour to maintain relevance and plans not to seek re-election this November, leav- In that context, unions are being challenged grow support, the OFL must continue to extend ing the floor wide open for a renewed mandate. to reimagine themselves beyond their immediate its work beyond the confines of Ontario work- However, one thing is certain: whoever is elect- membership, to include all working people, the places. In cities and towns across Ontario, people ed to lead Ontario’s House of Labour will have a unemployed, the precariously employed, the re- from all walks of life must be invited to join union strong foundation of activism to build on. tired and the many diverse communities who are members in building a broad-based movement being marginalized within today’s economy. The Convention will also follow quickly after to call on governments to deliver the opportuni- the October 19 federal election, so delegates will ties we need, the jobs we deserve and, indeed, to have a new political landscape to navigate, with KEY DEADLINES & DETAILS create the change we want. new challenges and new opportunities. Oct. 26 Resolutions The stakes couldn’t be higher. It is precisely these values that led the On- Oct. 26 Accessibility/Child Care tario Federation of Labour to create the Ontario Ontario workers delivered a significant blow to Common Front – an unprecedented movement of the American-style anti-union agenda when the Oct. 30: Award Nominations OFL lead the defeat of the Hudak Conservatives Nov. 9: Credentials more than 90 labour and community groups – so that, together, we can fight for all working people in 2014. It may even have anointed Ontario as the Convention credentials have been issued to each and protect the interests of the next generation. only jurisdiction in to face down Local Union’s Financial Secretary. This OFL Convention will, no doubt, inspire right-to-work laws ... and win. For Convention information, please visit: However, this victory cannot be taken for www.OFL.ca/index.php/convention-2015 delegates to push forward on this bold agenda granted. Unions across the country have been to mobilize a movement of all working people to For Convention updates, subscribe at: http://ofl. embattled on all sides by government and cor- fight alongside community allies for the Ontario, nationbuilder.com/oflconsignup porate attacks on their rights and benefits, and indeed the Canada, we want.

12 FALL 2015 • VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 OFL PRESIDENT’S REPORT 13 EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS THE OFL TEAM OFL DIRECTORS Joel Duff, Communications Director Vern Edwards, Health & Safety Director Rob Halpin, Director of Research and Education Laurie Hardwick, Organization Services Director Carrol Anne Sceviour, Human Rights Director Antoni Shelton, Director of Government Relations & Liaison to the President Elizabeth Smith-VanBeek, Director of Administration OFL & ODRT STAFF Judy Chow, Executive Secretary (Secre- LABOUR RESPONDS TO THE tary-Treasurer & Administration) Sue Fratric, Secretary / ODRT Administrative SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS Assistant It was with horror and great disbelief as the The OFL is partnering with various community Paulette Hazel, Secretary world witnessed the image of the lifeless body groups, including Lifeline Syria, to encourage a Brian Morgan, DocuTech Operator of 3-year-old Alyn Kurdi, lying face down on a movement that replicates the actions of trade Kathy Neumann, Executive Secretary (Presi- beach in Turkey. Perhaps the biggest tragedy is union locals and concerned citizens 35 years dent and Exec. V.P.) that it took the image of young Alyn to thrust ago. Ethiraju Ramachandar, Secretary / Book- the Syrian refugee crisis into the hearts and On Wednesday, September 9, OFL President keeper minds of all Canadians, and indeed the global Sid Ryan met with Naomi Albiom of Lifeline Syr- Sylvia Stewart, Secretary conscience. After all, this crisis has been in full ia, to understand how organized labour can an- ODRT DIRECTORS swing since 2011 and has claimed the lives of swer the call to action, and how our movement Colin Argyle, ODRT Director, Promotions, tens of thousands. can once again show leadership by providing Supply & Services Labour is poised to resume it’s role as lead- support for those in dire need. The OFL will be Clarence MacPherson, ODRT Director, ers in the humanitarian response. During the encouraging affiliates to fundraise to become Operations and Communications Indochinese refugee crisis in the late 1970’s, it sponsors for refugee families. was citizen activists, religious groups, and trade “We had an extremely productive meeting,” unions mobilized their communities to sponsor said OFL President Sid Ryan. “We discussed LABOUR & refugees en masse. Similarly, during the late 70’s multiple collective action approaches that are early 80’s, many locals stepped up to required to bring comfort to displaced Syrian HUMAN RIGHTS sponsor thousands of Vietnamese refugees. peoples. The OFL will apply political pressure on DATES Collective action by grassroots activists pres- all levels of government to take action regard- sured the governments of the day to ramp up ing this continuing crisis, and we are calling on Oct. 4 Sisters In Spirit Vigils their response, to follow the lead of concerned the labour movement to rise to this challenge by Oct. 10 World Mental Health Day citizenry, to do what all good families do – care sponsoring the settlement of Syrian refugees in Oct. 17 International Day for the Eradica- for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Ontario, and indeed across our country.” tion of Poverty Oct. 28 Childcare and Early Childhood Educators Appreciation Day Nov. 20 International Transgender Day of Remembrance Nov. 25 International Day for the Elimina- tion of Violence Against Women Dec. 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dec. 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Dec. 10 International Human Rights Day Dec. 18 International Migrants Day Sid Ryan delivered a keynote address for the Hope 4 Syria fundraiser in Brampton on Sept. 18, featured here with Shaila Kibria-Carter and other event organizers.

14 FALL 2015 • VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 MARK YOUR CALENDARS UPCOMING EVENTS OCT. 4: SISTERS IN SPIRIT NOV. 21: COALITION OF BLACK tion. This Assembly is open to both community VIGILS TRADE UNIONISTS ONTARIO and union activists. There will be no registration fee. For information, contact Paulette Hazel at October 4th is a day to honour the lives of missing CHAPTER (CBTU) and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. For 416-443-7667 or [email protected]. Download the PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE! The Coalition registration package at: http://ofl.ca/index.php/ more information visit: www.october4th.ca or se- of Black Trade Unionists invites you to their 19th youngworkers2015 lect a location: http://www.nwac.ca/policy-areas/ Annual Awards Dinner, Dance & Fundraiser on violence-prevention-and-safety/sisters-in-spirit/ November 21, with the theme, “Our Lives, Our NOV. 23-27: OFL 13TH BIENNIAL october-4th-vigils Community, Our Future.” It will be held at Le Parc CONVENTION OCT. 7: WORLD DAY FOR Dining and Banquet Hall, 8432 Leslie St. Thorn- The 13th Biennial Convention of the OFL will be hill. To purchase tickets contact Tricia Watt: 647- DECENT WORK held, under the aspirational banner “The Ontario 333-8065 or [email protected] for more We Want,” at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel The International Trade Union Confederation information visit: http://cbtu.ca (ITUC) has declared Oct. 7, 2015 the “World Day from November 23-27, 2015. for Decent Work.” The OFL will be working with NOV. 21: OFL WORKERS OF RESOLUTIONS: ...... Oct. 26 the Workers’ Action Centre and the Campaign to COLOUR SYMPOSIUM ACCESSIBILITY/CHILD CARE: ...... Oct. 26 Raise the Minimum Wage to organize a day of AWARD NOMINATIONS: ...... Oct. 30 action. Stay tuned to www.OFL.ca for details. On November 21, the OFL will host a Workers of Colour Symposium, “Connected & United: Sol- CREDENTIALS: ...... Nov. 9 OCT. 19: FEDERAL ELECTION idarity against Racism,” at the Sheraton Centre Convention credentials have been issued to each As set forth in the Canada Elections Act, the elec- Toronto Hotel in the Civic Ballroom North. For Local Union’s Financial Secretary. tion for the will take information, contact Paulette Hazel at 416- For information, the full convention package, and 443-7667 or [email protected]. Download the place on Monday, October 19, 2015. Stay tuned award nomination information, please visit: www. registration package at: http://ofl.ca/index.php/ to: www.Elections.ca OFL.ca/index.php/convention-2015 woc-symposium-2015 NOV. 2-6: THE 27TH CUPE There will be a 2nd Biennial Cliff Pilkey Awards NATIONAL CONVENTION NOV. 21-22: OFL YOUNG Dinner in the Grand Ballroom on November 26, The 27th CUPE National Convention will be held WORKERS’ ASSEMBLY 2015. Ticket and award information to follow. from November 2-6, at the Vancouver Convention On November 21-22, the OFL Young Workers’ Watch for further notice. Centre’s West Building in Vancouver, British Co- Committee will be hosting the second Young To sign up for Convention updates, subscribe to lumbia. Visit: https://cupe.ca/cupe-national-con- Workers’ Assembly at the Sheraton Centre Toron- the email list at: http://ofl.nationbuilder.com/ofl- vention-2015 to Hotel preceding the 13th OFL Biennial Conven- consignup OFL & AIL CANADA AWARD JACK LAYTON LABOUR POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2015 The OFL is proud to be joined in partnership by American Income Life (AIL) Canada in awarding the 2015 Jack Layton Labour Post-Sec- ondary Scholarships to two fantastic Ontario students. Leizl Anne Pineda, from Hamilton, will be attending University of Ottawa in the International Management Program. Her mother is a Nurse and a member of Unifor Local 504. Vanessa Severin, from Oakville, is starting at the University of Wa- terloo in the Honours Arts and Business Programs. She is the daughter of a Protection & Control Technologist who works for Hydro One and is a member of CUPE Local 1000. This year’s awards were given in the name of five retired or deceased activists who have been inducted into the OFL Labour Honour Roll: • Brother John Ball (Peterborough and District Labour Council) CONGRATULATIONS • Brother John Lewis (Durham Region Labour Council) CONGRATULATIONS Leizl Anne • Brother Ken Lewenza (UNIFOR) Vanessa • Brother James Moffat (Sheet Metal Workers) Pineda • Sister June Veecock (OFL) Severin

OFL PRESIDENT’S REPORT 15 2015

Worker’s Compensation Training Series October 25 to October 30, 2015 OFL Building, 15 Gervais Drive Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Y8

For further information: Toll-Free: 1.800.668.9138 Fees include all course material, guided instruction, certificate of Tel: 416-441-2731 completion and refreshments. Fax: 416-441-0722 Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites Email: [email protected] offers a special rate for out-of- Website: www.odrt.ca town guests.